MOL is said to have forged a series of handysize and handymax bulker newbuilding charters with local tonnage suppliers that reveal a new strategy for the Japanese giant.
The company has yet to disclose details of the deals, which are being viewed as the routine renewal of its operated “handy” fleet of close to 90 ships.
But the significance of the move is in the company breaking away from tradition of fixed charter contracts and adopting a flexible charter structure, in which the rate MOL pays to shipowners varies according to movements in the spot market.
